Marinus Link is expected to deliver 1400 jobs during construction in Victoria, with 3000 students expected to learn about the opportunities at the upcoming JobSkills Expo. 

Marinus Link’s Economic Development Manager Christina Young will present twice during the Expo within the ‘Jobs of the Future’ stream.

“The transition to renewable energy will provide a lot of employment for the next workforce generation, particularly jobs requiring technical skillsets,” Ms Young said.

The JobSkills Expo at Lardner Park on Tuesday will be the biggest yet, for the first time including years 11 and 12 students, alongside years 9 and 10, from 30 local schools. 

Participants will also include students undertaking the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and young people from training and community organisations in the Latrobe City, Baw Baw, South Gippsland and Bass Coast regions.

The Expo is an opportunity for students and young people to meet with potential employers and find out more about job opportunities in Gippsland. 

The event will engage young people with ‘hands-on’ activities, advice and information about the various skills, jobs and industries that make up our regional workforce. 

Supporting workforce development and training are among the top priorities for Ms Young as Gippsland transitions from coal to renewable energy industries.

“It’s really important that school students are aware of the job opportunities coming to the region so they can plan their training and career pathways,” Ms Young said. 

“I grew up in Gippsland, so it’s fantastic to be working for the development of communities I know well, and where I can make a positive difference to the wellbeing of local people.

“With big projects, there is the opportunity to partner with small businesses and enterprises to train people and build capacity so people are upskilled,” she said.

Construction of Marinus Link is expected to begin in 2025 and will span 6-7 years. The Link will include 90km of underground cable from Waratah Bay to Latrobe Valley and a converter station in Hazelwood, linking Marinus Link cables to the existing transmission network. 

The JobSkills Expo, organised by Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN, will be held on Tuesday, 25 July 2023 at Lardner Park, 155 Burnt Store Road, Lardner. Christina Young will present within two sessions held at 11-11:30am, and 12:45-1:15pm.